EMDR Therapy · What to Expect from EMDR Therapy
What to Expect
from EMDR Therapy
Starting EMDR therapy is a courageous step. Here is a clear picture of what the process looks like, from your first session through to completion, so you can approach treatment with confidence and realistic expectations.
What happens
step by step
Your first session is an assessment. Dr JC Coetzee will gather a thorough understanding of your history, current symptoms, and goals for therapy. You will have the opportunity to ask questions, understand the process, and decide whether to proceed. There is no pressure, and no processing occurs in the first session.
Before any reprocessing begins, time is spent building stabilisation resources, grounding techniques, a safe place, and the internal resources needed to engage safely with difficult material. For clients with complex presentations, this phase may take several sessions. It is not a delay, it is the foundation.
Using bilateral stimulation and the structured EMDR therapy protocol, we work through identified target memories and experiences. Sessions are structured, purposeful, and carefully paced. You will always be in control, and your therapist will guide the process while you remain grounded and oriented to the present.
Processing can continue between sessions as the brain continues integrating material. You may notice shifts in how memories feel, changes in mood, or unexpected associations. This is normal and part of the process. Your therapist will prepare you for this and provide grounding tools to use if needed.
As targets are resolved and treatment goals are met, therapy moves toward completion. The final sessions focus on consolidating gains, strengthening positive beliefs, and ensuring you feel confident and equipped to maintain your wellbeing. EMDR therapy is designed to produce lasting change, not ongoing dependency.
Before and after
EMDR therapy
- Triggered by memories or reminders of events
- Intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, nightmares
- Emotional reactions that feel out of proportion
- Avoidance of situations, people, or feelings
- Feeling stuck, numb, or disconnected
- Negative beliefs about self, others, or the world
- Physical tension or chronic symptoms linked to stress
- Difficulty regulating emotions in relationships
- Memories accessible without emotional flooding
- Reduced intrusions, nightmares, and flashbacks
- Calmer, more proportionate emotional responses
- Engagement with life without avoidance
- Feeling present, connected, and grounded
- More balanced, compassionate self-beliefs
- Reduced physical tension and somatic symptoms
- More stable, satisfying relationships
Signs you may be
ready for EMDR Therapy
EMDR therapy is suitable for a broad range of people and presentations. The following are some signs that EMDR therapy may be a good fit, though the best way to determine suitability is through an individual assessment with Dr JC Coetzee.
- You have past experiences that still feel emotionally charged when you think about them
- You notice patterns of behaviour, emotional reactions, or beliefs that you struggle to change despite effort
- You experience anxiety, low mood, or emotional dysregulation that appears disproportionate to your current circumstances
- You want to address the root causes of your difficulties, not just manage symptoms
- You are open to a structured, evidence-based approach that works differently from traditional talk therapy
- You are willing to feel some emotional discomfort in a safe, supported environment in order to achieve lasting change
- You are not currently in an acute crisis that requires stabilisation-only care
Take the
first step
Dr JC Coetzee · PhD · Clinical Psychologist · Advanced EMDR Therapy Specialist